Law is a set of rules that a society or government creates and enforces in order to deal with crimes, business agreements, social relationships and more. Its precise definition is a subject of long-standing debate. The primary purpose of the law is to ensure a stable society and protect citizens’ fundamental rights. It does this through a range of mechanisms including laws, police, courts and sanctions for breaking them.
Legal systems vary widely across the world and the definition of law reflects this diversity. Laws may be made by a group legislature, or by a single legislator in the form of statutes; created by executive decrees and regulations; or established by judges through precedent. Private individuals can also create legally binding contracts and arbitration agreements which offer alternatives to standard court litigation. A central theme of the law is that it must be objective and impartial. This principle is embodied in the concept of rule of law which holds that decisions must be based on fact, evidence and reasoning rather than the personal or political views of judges or other individuals involved in the decision making process.
The laws that govern a country are called domestic or civil law, and may include criminal, tax, family, property and commercial law as well as constitutional and international law. The principles governing these laws are usually written down and are influenced by culture, religion and religious books such as the Vedas, Bible or Koran. They are largely trustable to people because they come from a source that is familiar to them through their family and social habits.
It is the responsibility of government to uphold these laws and to provide access to a functioning justice system and transparent state institutions. Other important aspects of law are core human, procedural and property rights that are enshrined in the law. This is often enhanced by a system of checks and balances where the transition of power is subject to the law, whilst corruption or abuses of state authority are checked by a free press, independent judiciary or other mechanisms.
Studying the law is a fascinating academic discipline that opens up the opportunity to work in a wide variety of careers. It is not only the chance to develop a broad set of skills, but it offers a unique window into the complex and fascinating workings of our society. Law students learn to think differently, use a distinctive vocabulary and hone their analytical skills. Law teachers teach their students to write using clear and concise language, preparing them for the day when they will have to advise clients who are not trained lawyers. This is not just for the sake of clarity – it is because drafting legal documents that are unnecessarily complicated can be counterproductive. It can make them difficult to read and understand, and they may not be enforceable in court. This can lead to errors in interpretation and ultimately to incorrect decisions being made.